Captured IAF Pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan to return home today

As India awaits the return of captured Indian Airforce Pilot Wing Command Abhinandan Varthaman today, the josh seems to be pretty high in the country. More importantly, the captured pilot’s safe return is being monitored carefully by each and every Indian apart from his beloved family members.

While Pakistan has offered to return Abhinandan as a peace gesture today at the Wagah Border, India has clarified that the IAF pilot cannot be used as a bargaining child by Pakistan. Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, was compelled to announce that Varthaman will be released tomorrow, following international pressure.

In a counter-terrorism attack Februrary 26, India used Airforce to strike the terror camps in Pakistan’s Balakot, based on the intelligence reports. However, following this non-military action, Pakistan retaliated by violating Indian airspace.

A sizeable force of Pakistan Air Force jets – over 20 in number – flew from a number of bases in Pakistan and approached the Indian air space. Some of these aircrafts crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and launched some laser-guided bombs. These bombs were targeted at military installations but they missed narrowly because they could not come closer following Indian Airforce’s timely intervention.

Before IAF’s MiG-21 Bison flown by Wing Commander Varthaman was hit, he had managed to lock on one PAF’s F-16s and had fired an R-73 air-to-air missile to bring it down. The PAF planes had crossed the Line of Control (LoC). Varthaman was beaten by locals after he ejected from his MiG-21 and maintained composure during an interrogation session by the Pakistan Military.

Today, Wing Commander Abhinandan will be releases by Pakistan at the Wagah Border today afternoon and will be received by the Indian Airforce. Meanwhile, crowds have started gathering in large numbers at the Wagah Border, awaiting the arrival of the IAF pilot.